“Lyon writes powerfully about his own experiences as a young, troubled gay man in New York City, and it's this human story that stays with the reader.” –Publishers Weekly

"As real as it gets." –Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Journalist Joshua Lyon synthesizes cultural analysis with his own addiction experience to explore the fascinating world of prescription pain killers and their powerful grip. Part investigative journalism, part memoir, Lyon's book illuminates the difficulties of being hooked on legal drugs and how this problem has swept wildly across various demographics." –Library Journal

"Joshua Lyon preferred opiates, America's fastest growing addiction, and in this enlightening and harrowing pill by pill tour, he maps the secret trades that are taking place in every workplace, gym, bar, and neighborhood. With Pill Head, he demonstrates a crafty addict's ability to rationalize illicit pleasure, and a shrewd journalist's sense to doubt the long-term prospects of artificial narcotic happiness." –Michael Stein, author of The Addict: One Patient, One Doctor, One Year

"Pill Head is the perfect combination of informative and deeply personal; alarming and even sad. I wanted to hug Joshua Lyon after reading this. Anyone who has ever taken prescription medication recreationally should read this book. It's an eye-opener and it's not pretty, and it will speak to every single person who picks it up." –Lesley Arfin, author of Dear Diary

"If we were smart about combating addiction in this country—and, sadly, we aren't—we would chill out about marijuana and freak out about prescription drugs. We are a nation of pill heads, and Joshua Lyon, a pill-head extraordinaire, wants us to step slowly away from the medicine cabinet. Read this much-needed book, and you'll understand why." –Benoit Denizet-Lewis, author of America Anonymous: Eight Addicts in Search of a Life

“The daring and honest Pill Head digs far deeper than the average memoir about addiction. With precision and uncommon empathy, Joshua Lyon exposes the facts about painkillers and those who abuse them; he also fearlessly reveals his own intense, often frightening story. Pill Head is a terrific book." –Scott Heim, author of We Disappear and Mysterious Skin